Dike explains quitting Heartland

Coach Alphonsus Dike has resigned his appointment as technical adviser at Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Heartland.

The former Enugu Rangers coach tendered his resignation letter to the Owerri outfit management on Monday upon return from the NPFL matchday 27 clash 0-2 loss at newcomers, Mountain of Fire Miracles Ministries (MFM) FC in Lagos on Sunday.

Dike cited internal wrangling and unhealthy politics among the entire fabric of the team as reasons for ditching the side.

“Yes, I’m no more with Heartland, I left the side yesterday (Monday) on arrival from Lagos after the clash at MFM FC on Sunday.

“I’m no more comfortable with the happenings in the team and have decided to discontinue with them.

“The internal quarrelling in the team is quite unhealthy for a sane person to achieve result.

“Everything right now at Heartland seems to be working against the team even in their worst moment in the history of the club.

“Everybody seems to be quarrelling with every other person and the atmosphere has badly affected the psyche and psychology of the players as well as the coaches.

“The things I mentioned to the management to implement to help the team in their trying period are not being done aside low morale as a result of delay in payment of the players’ salaries.

“Management did not help matters, as key players that would have been of immense help to the team were allowed to go to other clubs without my approval or knowledge.

“I came to contribute my own quota to the growth of the team but I’m being compelled to beat a quick withdrawal to keep my sanity.

“Heartland is my team, I’m from the state, played and coached the team so the team is part and parcel of me but the situation there right now is quite demoralising.

“I did not abandon the team in their toughest period I cannot just help it but wish them well in the on-going league season and future endeavours,” said the former Nasarawa United coach to supersport.com.

The 2009 CAF Champions League finalists are just better than the bottom-placed side, Ikorodu United on the top-flight log on 29 points from 26 matches.